Abstract: A system and method for storing a route and sharing the route with other users. The system and method allow a user to record a particular route and share said route and comments with other users. The system is integrated with a navigation system having a display screen and interface to allow a user to easily record the route. Further, the system includes a communication module for uploading the route to devices maintained by other users or a subscription based website.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for remotely entering, storing and sharing location addresses for a positional information device, e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device, are provided. The present disclosure allows a user to easily and safely enter an address into a GPS device by giving that address to a remote communications link and to have that link automatically program the user's GPS device for usage. The device, system and method of the present disclosure further allows the user to use this stored address(es) on multiple GPS devices without having to manually enter the address(es).

Abstract: A device, system and method for controlling speed of a vehicle are provided. The device includes a locational information module for determining location information and speed; a storage module for storing at least one geographic map including at least one route and a speed limit for the at least one route; a processing module configured to receive the location information, retrieve at least one geographic map based on the location information, determine a speed limit based on the location information and compare the speed of the device to the determined speed limit; and a display module for alerting a user if the speed of the device exceeds the determined speed limit. The system and method can be for communicating a subject vehicle's speed to a central server where it can be utilized to analyze traffic congestion patterns or notify selected companies or individuals.

Abstract: A device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert to a monitoring service or other entity are provided. A mobile device of the present disclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to send a security alert or emergency communication to another party, e.g., an alerting such a monitoring service, where the user can accomplish this alert without letting anyone know that they are sending the alert so that the user does not put themselves in further danger by alerting the perpetrator of the crime to the alert. Moreover, the user will be able to send the monitoring service information on the nature of the alert including a geographic location of the user.

Abstract: Presenting information within a vehicle. Via an information capture device, a symbolic code or a wireless signal transmitted by a sign located external to the vehicle can be detected. Via an information presentation device located within the vehicle, information associated with the symbolic code or contained in the wireless signal can be presented to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure will enable a user to listen to desired audio content, e.g., music with a total lack of distraction while selectively allowing certain important and selected sounds to interrupt the audio content. The system for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels includes an audio content device (ACD) for supplying audio content on a first channel; at least one microphone input device for generating an acoustic signal from sound external to the system on a second channel; an audio signal processing control unit (ASPCU) for receiving the audio content on the first channel and the acoustic signal on the second channel and for selectively switching between the first and second channel; and an audio output device (AOD) for audibly producing sounds from the selected channel.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing at least one digital photographic image is presented, the system and method comprising at least one capturing device and at least one receiving device disposed in a communicative relation with one another via at least one wireless network. In particular, the capturing device is structured to capture the at least one digital photographic image via, for example, a capture assembly, whereas the receiving device is cooperatively structured to receive the digital photographic image via, for example, the at least one wireless network. In addition, the capturing device(s) and receiving device(s) may be disposed in a selectively paired relationship via one or more common pre-defined pairing criteria. Further, the at least one digital photographic image may be filtered via at least one pre-defined transfer criteria disposed on the capturing device and/or receiving device.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing at least one digital photographic image is presented, the system and method comprising at least one capturing device and at least one receiving device disposed in a communicative relation with one another via at least one wireless network. In particular, the capturing device is structured to capture the at least one digital photographic image via, for example, a capture assembly, whereas the receiving device is cooperatively structured to receive the digital photographic image via, for example, the at least one wireless network. In addition, the capturing device(s) and receiving device(s) may be disposed in a selectively paired relationship via one or more common pre-defined pairing criteria. Further, the at least one digital photographic image may be filtered via at least one pre-defined transfer criteria disposed on the capturing device and/or receiving device.

Abstract: A method and a device for receiving a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) signal from an HDMI source via a first HDMI interface is disclosed. The HDMI signal includes data in a first format. The data is converted to a second format and transmitted wirelessly to a wireless device. The HDMI signal is transmitted to an HDMI destination via a second HDMI interface.

Abstract: Indicating a cost to fill a fuel tank of a vehicle. A signal indicating a level fuel contained in the fuel tank of the vehicle can be received from a fuel sending unit. Based on the level of fuel contained in the fuel tank, a quantity of fuel required to fill the fuel tank can be determined. Fuel data can be received. Based on the quantity of fuel required to fill the fuel tank and the fuel data, a cost to fill the fuel tank can be received. A visual indicator indicating the cost to fill the fuel tank can be presented.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for indicating an existence of a link to information pertaining to an article of commerce. The present disclosure provides for downloading a look-up table from a server database to a mobile device via a communication network. The look-up table is configured to store a plurality of UPC numbers associated with a plurality of articles of commerce and a plurality of information link indicators. Each information link indicator is associated with a respective UPC number and article of commerce and indicates the existence of a link via the communication network to information pertaining to the respective article of commerce. The mobile device allows a consumer to immediately determine if product information is available for a particular article of commerce, via a visual or audible indication on the mobile device, without access to the communication network.

Abstract: Indicating a level of fuel contained in a fuel tank of a vehicle. A signal indicating a level fuel contained in the fuel tank of the vehicle is received from a fuel level sending unit. A visual indicator is presented that indicates the level of fuel, and the visual indicator is clearly visible to a person located outside of the vehicle and the person is adjacent to a fuel receiving nozzle of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing digital receipts for purchase transactions are provided. The method includes the steps receiving information for a first credit card account for executing a transaction; retrieving a first customer record from a database using information from the first credit card account; charging an amount of the transaction to the first credit card account; and transmitting a receipt to a predetermined location of the customer. The predetermined location may be an e-mail address of the customer or a server residing on the network. By receiving digital receipts, a customer or end-user will be able to digitally store these receipts and view or print the receipts out when necessary. Furthermore, the customer will be able to manage the receipts with conventional software packages.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling a portable electronic device to retrieve information about an object when the object's symbology, e.g., a barcode, is detected. According to one embodiment a method is providing in which symbology associated with an object is detected and decoded to obtain a decode string. The decode string is sent to one or more visual detection applications for processing, wherein the one or more visual detection applications reside on the portable electronic device, and receiving a first amount of information about the object from the one or more visual detection applications. The method also includes sending the decode string to a remote server for processing and receiving a second amount of information about the object from the remote server. The first amount of information is combined with the second amount of information to obtain cumulative information which is displayed on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing a vehicle operation energy efficiency recommendation. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, vehicle sensor data is accessed. The vehicle sensor data is analyzed. A vehicle operation energy efficiency recommendation is generated based at least in part on the analyzed vehicle sensor data.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving and storing digital documents with physical file storage systems are provided. The disclosed system and methods allow a user to retrieve digital documents from a conventional file storage system and to seamlessly categorize and store the digital documents within the conventional file storage system. The system and method provide for receiving an identifier associated with the physical file folder; and accessing the digital documents of the physical file folder using the received identifier. The system and method further provide for storing digital content in a file folder over a network including uploading and storing the digital content; entering an identification code associated with at least one file folder; and assigning digital content to the at least one selected file folder.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively supplying media content to a user includes a first media storage device acquired by the user from a media content provider. The storage device includes first media content and information related to second media content, both of which are preferably accessible from the storage device immediately upon acquisition. After the user has reviewed the storage device's contents, the content provider receives a request from the user (e.g., at a website server) to obtain the second media content. Responsive to the request, the content provider selectively provides the user electronic access to the second media content without providing the user a second media storage device. For example, the content provider may provide the user an access code that allows the user to unlock the second media content from the first media storage device, which content was preferably prestored thereon in encrypted or another locked form.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for determining a recommended separation distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a separation distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is determined. A recommended separation distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is determined based in part on at least one condition. The separation distance and the recommended separation distance are displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing personal data to others. In accordance with one embodiment, the system includes a symbology device including a processor. The processor determines personal data corresponding to a person and determines a code to imprint based at least in part on the personal data. At least a portion of the personal data is represented in the code. The symbology device includes an imprinter arranged to imprint the code onto the person.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying an article of commerce, e.g., digital media content, downloading all or part of content related to the article of commerce to mobile devices such as portable digital media players and/or mobile phone devices and/or adding the article of commerce to a virtual environment. The present disclosure provides for identifying a specific object in the real world; obtaining an identification of the specific object using a mobile device; transmitting the identification of the specific object from the mobile device to a server on a network; determining, by the server, a list of available content related to the specific object and transmitting the list to the mobile device; selecting at least one available content from the list of available content and adding the selected content to a virtual environment.